New Delhi: Coming down heavily on the BJP for inviting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi on May 26, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday said this has exposed the double standard of the saffron party on the sensitive issue of terrorism.

“By showing terror and talks can go hand in hand, Modi also sang the same tune like Manmohan Singh,” Mayawati said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to invite his Pakistani counterpart has drawn flak from his political opponents.

Congress leader Manish Tewari had earlier questioned the decision to invite Sharif, saying, “Throughout the election campaign, a lot of anti-Pakistan rhetoric was articulated by the BJP. Now, they have invited Prime Minister of Pakistan. It is for BJP to introspect as to whether terror and invitations can go hand in hand.

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury had asked Modi to convey the Pakistani leader that friendship and acts that impinge on our national security cannot go hand-in-hand.

Modi and Sharif hand one-on-one meeting during which both leaders discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the field of trade. Modi also raised the issue of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and said that no satisfactory development on it has taken yet.

On the other hand, United States had said it is hopeful that the initial indication between Islamabad and New Delhi is a positive one.

Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on May 26 was attended by as many as 3,000 guests. Besides Sharif, Modi had invited leaders of all South Asian countries for his oath-taking ceremony.